The study investigates in the Benchmark for Scientific Literacy of Chinese Citizens. The background of issuing the Benchmark, its procedure, and contents are analyzed; the key for analysis revolves around the huge debate triggered by the Benchmark on Chinese internet. The debate can be traced to historical discussions in China, regarding the…

STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education is recognized as the world's top education program. However, few STEM programs have been designed based on cultural-historical events. To explore this issue, the present study drew on the cultural-historical activity theory and the content analysis method by adopting the…

Based on previous international studies, a content analysis scheme has been designed and used from the perspective of culture to study the history of science (HOS) in science textbooks. Nineteen sets of Chinese science textbooks have been analyzed. It has been found that there are noticeable changes in the quantity, content, layout, presentation,…

This study aimed to examine the representations of nature of science (NOS) in the eight histories of science selected from three series of integrated science textbooks used in junior high school in China. Ten aspects of NOS were adopted in the analytical framework. It was found that NOS had not been well treated in the selected histories of…

Teaching nature of science (NOS) is beginning to find its place in science education in China. This exploratory study interviewed twenty-four Chinese science teacher educators about their conceptions of teaching NOS to pre-service science teachers. Although five dimensions emerged, this paper mainly focuses on reporting the findings relevant to…

Examines early Chinese scientific thought and practice and assesses its impact on the development of modern science in China. Offers an explanation of why modern science did not develop independently in China. The importance of the role of the scientific community in China's history is emphasized. (ML)

Describes kites and kite flying in different countries and throughout history, including the New York Kite Festival. Notes that principles governing kite behavior control the flight of airplanes. (MH)

Discusses the roots of Chinese science in Taoism and naturalism and their synthesis in neo-Confucism in the Sung dynasty. Briefly mentions relations with the West. Specifically cites Chinese acoustical science and discoveries in magnetism. Includes a syllabus for a course. (GH)

Examines the causes that delayed the growth of modern science in China, tracing the historical development of Sino-Western physics. Also evaluates the influence of ideologies and politico-social institutions on the origin and direction of science and physics in China. (ML)

Describes an initiative to develop and incorporate early Chinese scientific ideas into the teaching of physics in Hong Kong schools. Provides the background and rationale for the development and gives as an illustration an account of some of the scientific ideas included. Ideas include the Chinese magic mirror, force and motion, and atomic theory.…

This guide to the literature on current and historical developments in science and technology in China is not intended to be a comprehensive bibliography. It is designed to provide the reader with a set of resources that can be used to focus on the topic. The document lists the subject headings used by the Library of Congress in cataloging…

Examines the trends of science education in the People's Republic of China (PRC) over the past 30 years, described the present climate of the discipline, and comments on the future path it will take. The content of science courses of public schools in PRC is also presented. (HM)

A recent study (Liu, 2005a, 2005b) revealed a limited number of alternative models of the universe held by young students in Taiwan and in Germany. In line with the previous findings, these alternative models frequently fall into two groups: earth-centred and sun-centred views, which draw a correspondence to the ideas in the European history of…

Chinese "magic" mirrors are made from bronze with the front side a mirror and the reverse side a molded image. When light is reflected from the mirror,the image on the reverse side appears. Discusses reflections of conventional mirrors, possible explanations for the magic mirror phenomenon, and applications of the phenomenon to…